4 Cool Tools for the Personal Concierge
As a personal concierge we are often ask to find solutions to problems. Often these can involve seeking out online tools to complete a task. We can become very good and using Google to our advantage. However, sometimes a shortcut is also handy! In that spirit, below I’m including X online tools that you may need to turn to at some stage.
1. Trello
I’ve been using Trello regularly with a particular client of mine. We create a variety of different cards to managing all the tasks we’re working on. If I need a response from the client I move the card to that column. If the client adds a new task he tags me so I receive an alert. You can create task lists within the cards, as well as adding attachments, due dates and displaying maps. And this is all with the free version – there is so much more you can do with the paid version. This won’t work for all clients, but it might be the perfect tool for certain clients who prefer to use technology to keep on top of things.
Looking for more information on Trello? // Members of the Concierge Secret Society can head into their dashboard and watch a video where I go through the exact Trello board I use with one of my clients. Click here or Become a member.
2. Paperless Post
I’ve known about Paperless Post for a while, but only recently was I actually able to use it with a client. Paperless Post is an online platform which you use this tool to send out digital invitations. They have funky digital envelopes (that actually open on screen!), endless design options, and lots of functionality to take RSVP’s, ask questions, provide information and send messages. I found it quite easy to use, and along with the extensive paid functionality, there are ways that you can send invitations and collect RSVPs for free also. Paperless Post have also recently added ‘Flyers’ to their list of options. This will be a great option in your business, and will be something your clients will appreciate too.
3. iOS Calendar
I’m sure many of you use and are fans of Android phones and Google Calendar. At this stage I haven’t had the requirement to use it. However, I have been using the iOS iPhone Calendar for years, and recently started sharing certain calendars with my clients to keep on top of their various appointments, as well as family holiday home bookings. It syncs beautifully, is very easy to share between people who use Apple products, and also works brilliantly with Apple Maps for directions. I just always find Apple apps so easy to use and share between different devices.
4. Dropbox
I almost left Dropbox off the list. It is such an ingrained part of my day, I take it for granted. I am constantly sharing documents, powerpoint presentations, images and videos with clients. Often files are too large to attach the email, so I simply send a Dropbox link to a client so they can download it that way. I also share specific folders with clients so we can both upload files to the same destination and have access to the most current versions. I’m now on the paid version because I use it so much, but you can start for free. The other reason I love Dropbox is that if something goes wrong with my laptop, the majority of my documents are in the cloud so I don’t need to worry.
Abbie Allen is the founder of The Concierge Society, as well as Lifestyle Elements and le Porter. She started Lifestyle Elements in 2004 at the age of 23 and now operates internationally from her head office in Adelaide, South Australia. She was the 2014 Institute of Concierge and Lifestyle Managers Association Golden Key Award winner, as well as a finalist in the South Australia Telstra Business Women’s Awards in 2012. She works with her husband Tim, and they have three daughters. If you handed Abbie a brand new book, a glass of red wine and some chocolate, plus the time to enjoy it, you would have made her day! Have you joined our free private community? Click here now!